Table 2 Summary of Findings (SoF) for the comparison PUFAs versus placebo
Summary of findings: | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Should polyunsaturated fatty acids versus placebo be used for the treatment of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder? | ||||||
Patient or population: children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder | ||||||
Setting: outpatients | ||||||
Intervention: polyunsaturated fatty acids | ||||||
Comparison: placebo | ||||||
Outcomes | Anticipated absolute effects* (95% CI) | Relative effect (95% CI) | № of participants (studies) | Certainty of the evidence (GRADE) | Comments | |
Risk with placebo | Risk with polyunsaturated fatty acids | |||||
Hyperactivity | – | SMD 0.27 lower (0.6 lower to 0.06 higher) | – | 146 (5 RCTs) | ⨁⨁◯◯ LOW a | lower scores indicate improvement |
Aggression | – | SMD 0.29 lower (1.08 lower to 0.49 higher) | – | 25 (1 RCT) | ⨁⨁◯◯ LOW a | lower scores indicate improvement |
Irritability | – | SMD 0.02 lower (0.42 lower to 0.38 higher) | – | 146 (5 RCTs) | ⨁⨁◯◯ LOW a | lower scores indicate improvement |
Anxiety | – | SMD 1.01 lower (1.86 lower to 0.17 lower) | – | 25 (1 RCT) | ⨁◯◯◯ VERY LOW a,b | lower scores indicate improvement |
Adaptive functioning | – | SMD 0.49 lower (1.2 lower to 0.22 higher) | – | 59 (2 RCTs) | ⨁◯◯◯ VERY LOW a,c,d | lower scores indicate worsening |
Social interaction | – | SMD 0.01 lower (0.43 lower to 0.4 higher) | – | 223 (6 RCTs) | ⨁◯◯◯ VERY LOW a,e | lower scores indicate worsening |
Restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors | – | SMD 0.01 higher (0.36 lower to 0.39 higher) | – | 223 (6 RCTs) | ⨁⨁◯◯ LOW a | lower scores indicate improvement |
Communication | – | SMD 0.05 lower (0.5 lower to 0.4 higher) | – | 223 (6 RCTs) | ⨁⨁◯◯ LOW a | lower scores indicate worsening |